Professional Competence In Forensic Firearms Examination (Comparison… Certificate of Competence:

This 3 day course aims to provide an understanding of the role of the firearms examiner in forensic firearms investigations and detail the underlying principles in the field of firearms identification and ballistics, including the affect of projectile ricochet on scene interpretation.
In this course, students will expand their knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of firearms, firearm component manufacturing, and forensic firearms identification, internal, intermediate, external and terminal ballistics.
Subject matter will include:
1968 Firearms Act (amendment)
Types of firearms
Ammunition composition
Component manufacturing processes
Firearms evidence collection
Class and individual characteristics for firearms identification
Introduction to internal, intermediate, external and terminal (including wound) ballistics
Projectile ricochet
The first of four laboratory practicals will cover the collection of firearms evidence from a mock crime scene and the comparison of fired ammunition component(s).
Two further laboratory practicals to allow the students to experiment, interpret and critically evaluate the effect of physical mechanics by changing the projectile mass and angle of firearm inclination.
The final laboratory practical will allow students to design the experimental method and undertake an investigation into the effect of the target angle on projectile ricochet.